2015 Valero Texas Open fantasy golf picks, betting tips

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The road to the Masters is getting much shorter, and Augusta National is in sight. However, before the year's first major, the PGA Tour takes a two-week trip through Texas starting with the Valero Texas Open.

Steven Bowditch is the defending champion in an event which has enjoyed a rebirth in the last several years. Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson are the headliners this week, with the likes of Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson looking to get Masters ready.

We didn't see Matt Every breaking through with a successful defense at Bay Hill, but we did have the runner-up, Henrik Stenson, and Jason Kokrak among our tips for the week. Let's get back on the horse this week!

Now, on to the picks!

1. Jordan Spieth -- Spieth is the class of the field and a winner at Tampa. He's a top-10 machine, including a 10th-place finish here last year at an event where it's hard to find a pattern.

2. Jim Furyk -- Furyk's looked very good this year. We know there's the concern of his inability to close out a win, but he's been in the top six in his last two Valero starts.

3. Dustin Johnson -- Johnson's also already a winner this year, taking the title at Doral. He's never played in this event. However, he does seem to peak a little too early for the Masters, though it's typically in Houston.

4. Jason Kokrak -- Kokrak has looked good of late, with a T-7 in Tampa and a T-6 at Bay Hill. He's not a great putter, which could hurt him on these Greg Norman greens.

5. Brendan Steele -- Steele picked up his first PGA Tour win here in 2011, then was T-4 in his title defense. He's resuscitated his career this year and has been nailing down top-25 finishes in spades this season.

6. Matt Kuchar -- Kooch was T-4 here last year, and we'd recommend him higher if he was in better form of late. Spieth is the new Kuchar.

7. Matt Jones -- For whatever reason, this is the sweet spot on the Aussie's calendar. He was alone in third at Bay Hill and will defend in Houston next week. Had a nice West Coast swing. Two modest finish in three starts at the Oaks course.

8. Daniel Summerhays -- This is the rare horse-for-course play here. He's been in the top seven in his last two VTO starts, including shared runner-up last year.

9. Charlie Hoffman -- The Hoff with One N has a win this season at Mayakoba, but has been suspect since a joint runner-up finish at the old Hope. However, he's never finished outside of the top 13 on this track, including two medal-stand finishes.

10. Kevin Na -- Yep, Kevin Na made a 16 here once. It was ugly. But Na is playing great golf and was T-11 here last year after two very ugly starts. Maybe he's turned the corner.

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